Sanare Centre asking province for more support

By COLLIN GALLANT on January 28, 2023.

cgallant@medicinehatnews.com@CollinGallant

A local agency that counsels sexual assault survivors says more stable funding is needed from the province to address the problem and increased demand for its services.

The Sanare Centre in Medicine Hat is a member of the Alberta Association of Sexual Assault Services, which is calling on the province make mental health and prevention a priority in the next budget.

“Last year, we served 50 per cent more clients in the previous year and that is expected to increase again,” said executive director Christina Johnson. “We serve survivors throughout the southeastern region … I hope (Premier Danielle Smith) and cabinet will listen to the needs of Albertans and provide the funding to address the situation.”

Johnson says the association approached government in mid 2022 to discuss the surge in service requests, and that resulted in one-time grants toward broadening counselling services.

The province provided about $13.8 million on sexual violence prevention in the current budget year, which ends in March, while the association reports about twice that amount is needed to meet demand.

AASAS says money for providing access to legal avenues for clients and general prevention is required to reverse rising demand in the long term.

The group estimates 40 per cent of Albertans may experience sexual violence in their lifetime, and says money toward addressing trauma and supporting victims can prevent long-term social problems.

AASAS states that, left untreated, a sexual assault can leave long-lasting, serious mental health effects leading to depression, addiction, homelessness and chronic mental illness.

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